Devices for making electrical connections

ABSTRACT

Identical miniature plugs are attached to both ends of a telephone cord. The plugs are mated with miniature jacks in the handset and in the base of a telephone. A plurality of stand-up, blade terminals are positioned in spaced troughs of a housing of the plug with each of the terminals having tangs that pierce the insulation of insulated tinsel conductors of the cord placed in the troughs and pressed into engagement with the tangs by associated ribs formed in a lid of the housing which is welded ultrasonically to the housing. The mating jack has a plurality of U-shaped stand-up, blade terminals with provisions similar to the plug for making electrical contact with conductors leading into the jack. One leg of each of the U-shaped terminals of the jack is caused to engage an associated one of the terminals in the plug when the plug is inserted into the jack. The plug and the jack have facilities for providing strain relief for both the cords and the individual conductors.

[151 3,699,498 [4 1 Oct. 17,1972

Cootes............:,...,.339/2l0 M France......................339/208OTHER PUBLICATIONS Ultrasonic Assembly, Kolb, 3- 185.

ABSTRACT phone. A positioned in FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS MachineDesign, 1967, pages 180- Primary'Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynn AttorneyW.M. Kain, R. P. Millerand Don P. Bush Identical miniature plugs areattached to both ends of a telephone cord. The plugs are mated withminiature jacks in the handset and in the base of a tele plurality ofstand-up, blade terminals are spaced troughs of a housing of the plugwith each of the terminals having tangs that pierce the insulation ofinsulated tinsel conductors of the cord placed in the CONNECTIONS ryHall, Md.; Charles L. Krumreieh; Albert E. Mulbarger, Jr., both ofIndianapolis, Ind.; Stephen W. Walden, Morral Township, Shelby County,Ind.

Assignees: Bell Telephone Laboratories Incorporated, Berkeley Heights,N.J.; Western Electric Company Incorporated,New York, NY.

' April 30, 1970 .339/64 M, 339/91 R, 339/107, 339/206 P, 339/221 M,339/99 R Int. Cl. 13/62 Field of Search..........339/65, 64, 66, 91,97-99,

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[54] DEVICES FOR MAKING ELECTRICAL [72] Inventors: Edwin C, Hardesty,Per

22 FiledQ [21] Appl. No.: 33,211

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SHEET 6 OF 7 PATENTEDUCT 17 I972 SHEET 7 [1F 7 BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to devices formaking an electrical connections; and more particularly, to miniaturedevices for making electrical connections between conductors andelectrically conductive terminals wherein the conductive terminals areassembled with dielectric members to form plugs and jacks and for thenmating the plugs and jacks to make electrical connections between theterminals of the plugs and the terminals of the jacks.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the communications industry, therehas been an increasing demand for plug type electrical connectors onstraight and retractile handset and line cords which are used to connecta base and a handset of a telephone, and to connect the base of thetelephone to a terminal block. Efforts have been made to develop plugtype connectors having provisions for facilitating the installationthereof.

One of the plug type connectors which has been in use for some time, inparticular model telephone sets, is described in US. Pat. No. 3,369,214,issued on February 13, 1968, to C.L. Krumreich et al. In the presentlyused plugs, a plurality of terminals are applied to each of a pluralityof insulated conductors included in a jacketed length of cordage. Theseterminals are mounted within a dielectric structure which is secured tothe associated cordage. The dielectric portions of the plugs which areattached to both ends of a length of the cordage cooperate withreceptacles in the handset and the base of the telephone to alignproperly the terminals of the plug with mating terminals within thehandset and the base.

Although the plug, described in US. Patent 3,369,214, functionssatisfactorily, the increased demand has required the introduction ofmanufacturing economies in both the plug assembly and the attachment ofthe plug to the associated cordage. Many conventional retractile cordsare formed of conductors which are enclosed within a resilient plasticjacket that is rendered retractile after being wound on a mandrel andsubjected to relatively high temperatures. From a manufacturingstandpoint, it becomes more efficient for an operator to attach plugtype connectors to each of a plurality of straight cords draped over ahandling dolly before the cords have been rendered retractile.

The plug described in US. Pat. No. 3,369,214 includes. a number ofplastic parts which are riveted together. As the riveted plugs aresubjected to the high temperatures needed to render the cordsretractile, the stresses introduced by the riveting of the plastic partstogether may manifest themselves in distortions of the plasticcomponents of the plug. Hence, when the plugs are formed of moldedpieces of plastic which are riveted together, it becomes impractical topreassemble the plugs to cordage which will eventually be renderedretractile. The retractile cords must be handled individually by anoperator doing the attachment process with accompanying loss in operatorhandling time.

In a subsequently developed plug, as is disclosed in an application forUS. patent, Ser. No. 758,502, filed Sept. 9, 1968, in the name ofE.C.Hardesty, an electri- '2- cal connector for a retractile typeelectrical cord was providedwhich could be assembled to the cord beforethe cord is heat treated to render the cord retractile.

- Moreover, the connector can be exposed to the same environments towhich the cord is exposed for treatment without the connector incurringany degradation of its properties. I V

The connecting device described in the Hardesty ap plication can befabricated by using conventional molding techniques with provisionsforelectrical conductors having electrically conductive terminals attachedthereto, and which can be readily assembled to, and disassembled from,an integral dielectric portion without distortion of the terminals.

Although the' connecting device described in the l-Iardesty applicationovercomes some of the problems previously alluded to, the size of thatdevice is such that it may not be conveniently adapted for use on allmodel telephones. 1

There is still a need for a universal type of electrical connecting unitwhich may be readily assembled to a retractile cord and whichhas'miniature-enough dimensions so that the device may be readilyassembled to a mating unit in the handset and to the base of any modeltelephone. Such a device must be capable of being preassembled tocordage either prior to or subsequent to rendering the cordageretractile, must be capable of being easily inserted in the matingvunits in the telephone components by either :a subscriber or aninstaller and must be small enough so that it may be compatible withexisting telephone and terminalstructures with minimum modificationsthereto, and with future miniature electronic telephone sets.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device for makingelectrical connections wherein conductive terminals are assembled withdielectric members to form a plug and a jack and to causethe terminalsto engage electrically conductors positioned within the plug and thejack, and for making electrical connections between the terminals of theplugs and the terminals of the jacks.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device for makingelectrical connections between telephone apparatus, and which is ofrelatively small dimensions so that the device may be adapted to be usedin existing telephone apparatus with minimum modifications thereto andwhich may be installed easily by either a subscriber or an installer. Itis another object of this invention to provide a plug which may beattached to each end of a retractile cord by automated methods of andapparatus for manufacture and which may be preassembled thereto prior toor subsequent to the cords being rendered retractile and which isadapted to be received in a mating jack positioned in the base and inthe handset of a telephone set by either a subscriber or anemployee-installer.

SUMMARY With these and other objects in mind, the present inventioncontemplates a device for making an electrical connection which includesa plug assembly having mating dielectric parts which are provided withfacilities for receiving a plurality of conductors to confine andseparate the conductors. One of the mating parts has terminal-receivingfacilities formed therein and has a sembly includes mating dielectricparts having facilities for receiving a plurality of conductors and forconfining individually the conductors. One of the mating parts of thejack assembly has walls which define terminalreceiving passages. Thejack assembly also includes a plurality of electrically conductiveterminals with at least portions positioned in the passages in the onepart of the jack assembly and designed to become, and be retained,engaged electrically with conductors positioned therein when the partsof the jack assembly are mated. The walls of portions of theterminal-receiving passages are designed to permit a predeterminedlateral deflection of the associated portions of the associatedterminals.

Portions of the jack-assembly terminals are received in the associatedones of the terminal-receiving facilities of the plug assembly to engageelectrically with the associated plug-assembly terminals when the plugassembly is inserted into the cavity of the jack assembly. Each of thejack-assembly terminals has at least a portion thereofanchored in thejack assembly and has the portion thereof which engages the associatedterminal in the plug assembly being received in the portions of theassociated passage and designed to have a predetermined lateraldeflection to facilitate the mating of the plug and jack assemblies, andto maintain good electrical contact between the jack-assembly terminalsand the plug-assembly terminals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and features of thepresent invention will be more readily understood in the followingdetailed description of specific embodiments thereof when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a telephone set showing a retractilecord having an inventive plug attached to each end thereof and insertedinto an inventive jack in a handset and a base portion of the telephoneset;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the inventive device whichillustrates the plug aligned with, but disassembled from the inventivejack;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded sectional view of the inventive plug ofFIG. 2 which illustrates individual conductors of a jacketed cord whichare to be confined between a mating lid and base of the plug and furtherillustrating one of a plurality of stand-up blade terminals aligned withthe plug for assembly thereto;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the base of the plug of FIG. 2 whichillustrates several details of that portion of the base which mates withthe lid;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the base of the plug of FIG. 2 whichillustrates a plurality of terminal-receiving grooves having flaredentrances;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the lid of the plug of FIG. 2 whichillustrates several details of that portion of the lid which mates withthe base;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the lid of the plug of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged exploded sectional view of the inventive jack ofFIG. 2 taken along lines 8-8 which illustrates a housing and a coverwith one of a plurality of terminals aligned with the jack for mountingon the housing;

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the housing of the jack of FIG. 2taken along lines 9-9 thereof;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the cover of the jack shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an end elevational'view of the housing of the jack of FIG. 2taken along lines 1 l-11 thereof;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the inventive device of FIG. 2, whichillustrates an assembled one of the plugs inserted into a cavity in anassembled one of the jacks in, for example, the base portion of atelephone;

FIG. 13 is a complete sectional view of the assembled device of FIG. 12taken along lines 1313 thereof which illustrates the mating of theterminals of the plug with the terminals of the jack;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 with the plug withdrawn from thecavity in the jack;

FIG. 15 'is an exploded perspective view of the inventive device whichillustrates the inventive plug aligned with, but disassembled from,another embodiment of the inventive jack;

FIG. 16 shows an elevational view, partially in section, of a handsetportion of a telephone showing still another embodiment of the inventivejack, and

FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view of the embodiment of the inventivejack of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown atelephone, designated generally by the numeral 30, which includes abase, designated generally by the numeral 31, and a handset, designatedgenerally by the numeral 32. A retractile cord, designated generally bythe numeral 33, interconnects the base 31 and the handset 32. A linecord (not shown) interconnects the base 3 1 and a terminal block (notshown). The line cord (not shown) in general use today is a straightcord.

The retractile cord 33 is provided with a plug, designated generally bythe numeral 34, at the handset end thereof, and with a plug, designatedgenerally by the numeral 36 at the base end thereof. The plug 34 isadapted to be mated with a jack, designated generally by the numeral 38,which is mounted in the handset 32, while the plug 36 is adapted to bemated with a jack, designated generally by the numeral 37, mounted inthe base 31 of the telephone 30. The plugs 34 and 36 attached toopposite ends of any one cord 33 are identical and are designed to bereceived universally in any one of the jacks which will be installed inthe telephone apparatus. However, in the event that retractile cords beused for both the line cord and the handset cord, then precautions wouldhave to be taken so that an installer may readily identify which is theline cord and which is the set cord.

In FIG. 2, there is shown an exploded perspective view of the plug 34and the jack 37 which embody the principles of theinvention. Theretractile cord 33 includes a jacket 39 and a plurality of insulatedconductors 41-41. A portion of the jacket 39 is removed from the cord 33adjacent each end thereof to facilitate connecting the conductors 41-41at each end of the cord to one of the plugs 34-34.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plug 34 includes a rigid,dielectric base portion, designated generally by the numeral 42, and amating rigid, dielectric lid portion, designated generally by thenumeral 43.

The rigid, dielectric base andv lid portions 42 and 43,

respectively, can be easily molded by using conventionalinjection-molding techniques. Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, it can beseen that thebase portion 42 includes a passage 44 having a plurality ofspaced parallel longitudinally formed partitions 46-46 formed integrallywith the base portion. The partitions 46-46 project into the passage 44and together with a side wall 47 and a side wall 48 of the base portionform a plurality of conductor-receiving troughs 49-49 for receiving theindividual conductors 41-41 of the cord 39. The conductor-receivingtroughs 49-49 confine the conductors 41-41 against lateral movement inthe passage 44.

A plurality of parallel-formed terminal-receiving grooves 53-53 (seeFIG. 5) are formed in the base portion 42 to open to a surface 52 witheach one of the grooves being associated and aligned with an associatedone of the conductor-receiving troughs 49- 49. Each one of theterminal-receiving grooves 53-53 communicates with the associated one ofthe conductor-receiving troughs 49-49 by a slotted opening 54 (see FIGS.4 and 5). Moreover, each one of the terminal-receiving grooves 53-53 hasa flared entrance 56 which opens to a surface 57 (see FIG. 5) whichextends transversely of the surface 52 of the base portion 42. Each ofthe terminal-receiving grooves 53-53 has a restrictive portion 58 (seeFIG. 5) formed at one end thereof and a shoulder 59 projectingtransversely of and into the entrance 56 at the other end thereof.

In order to provide strain relief for the cord 33, a raised portion 61(see FIGS. 2 and3) is formed integrally with the base portion 42transverse of a longitudinal axis of the passage 44 and projecting intothe passage. In order to provide strain relief for the conductors 41-41,the base portion 42 is formed with a transversely extending channel 62(see FIGS. 2 and 3) which is interposed between the raised portion 61and the conductor-receiving troughs 49-49. The base portion 42 hasseveral additional features for facilitating the assembly of the cord 33and the lid portion 43 therewith.

The base portion 42 of the plug 34 also includes a guideway 63 openingto the outwardly facing surface of each of the side walls 47 and 48thereof (see FIGS. 2 and 4). Finally, in order to facilitate the bondingultrasonically of the lid portion 43 to the base portion 42, a pluralityof energy directors or guides 64-64 are formed integrally with a topsurface 66 of the walls 47 and 48 and along topsurfaces of thepartitions 46-46 (see FIGS. 2 and'4). The energy directors 64-64 aredimensioned to provide for adequate bonding of the lid portion 43 to thebase portion 42 in accordance with the specifications providedbymanufacturers of commercial ultrasonic equipment. For example, referenceis made to an article by D. J. Kolb, Designing PLastic Parts forUltrasonic'Assembly printed in the Mar. 16, 1967 issue of MachineDesign.

Prior to the assembly of the lid portion 43 with the base portion 42 ofthe plug 34, electricallyconductive terminals 71-71 are assembled to thebase portion. As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, each one of theterminals 71-71 is generally L-shaped andmade from a generally flatstrip of and electrically .conductive resilient material such asphosphor-bronze. Moreover, each one of the terminals 71-71 includes atleast one contact tang 72 which is usedto pierce the insulation of anassociated one of the conductors 41-41 to establish electrical contacttherewith.

The terminals 71-71, shown in FIG. 2, have two contact tangs 72-72formed integrally therewith to facilitate penetration of the insulationof the-conductors 41-4lto insure engagement of the tangs with theconductive portions of the conductors. To this end, the tangs 72-72 arecoined so that one sideof one of the tangs is sloped in one directionwhile the opposite side of the other one of the tangs is sloped inanother direction at some angle to the one direction.

Each one of the terminals 71-71 is also formed with a plurality ofanchoring barbs 73-73 which penetrate the material defining theterminal-receiving grooves 53-53 and the slotted openings 54-54 of thebase portion42 when the terminals are assembled therewith in order tosecure the terminals withinthe. base portion.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the terminals 71-71 are assembled to the baseportion 4.2 by aligning the terminals with associated ones of theterminal-receiving grooves 53-53. Each one of the terminals 71-71 isaligned with the associated one of the terminal-receiving grooves 53-53so that an extended portion 74 (see FIG. 3) of the terminal is alignedwith the associated one of the slotted openings. 54-54. Then, as theterminal 71 is moved into the associated one of the terminal-receivinggrooves 53-53, a leading end 76 thereof is moved into engagement withthe shoulder 59 (see FIG. 5) formed at the other end of theterminalreceiving groove. A trailing end 77 of the terminal 71 isreceived in therestrictive portion 58 (see FIG. 5) of the alignedterminal-receiving groove 53. In this way, the terminal 71 is restrainedfrom unintended longitudinal movement relative to the base portion 42. 7

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the terminals 71-71 is alsoformed with a crown 78 for engaging the opposed wall of the associatedslotted opening 54. The crown maintains the terminal 71 to one side ofthe terminal-receiving groove 53 to prevent lateral displacement thereofduring the insertion process in the associated one of theterminal-receiving grooves and maintains the terminalin engagement withthe adjacent wall of the groove. In this way, a contact portion 79 ofeach of the terminals 71-71 is seated properly within the associated oneof the terminal-receiving grooves 53-53, with the leading end 76 of eachof the terminals in engagement with the shoulder 59 and with thetrailing end received in the restrictive portion 58.

When each one of the terminals 71-71 is assembled properly with the baseportion 42, the tangs 72-72 thereof protrude through the associated oneof the slotted openings 54-54 into the associated one of theconductor-receiving troughs 49-49. Moreover, the

proper positioning of the terminals 71-71 in the grooves 53-53 centersthe tangs 72-72 within the troughs 49-49 to align the tangs with thelongitudinal axes of the associated conductors 41-41 and maintain thetangs in alignment therewith to insure that the tangs engage theconductive'portion of the insulated conductors. Finally, when theterminals 71-71 are assembled properly to the base portion 42, the edgesof the terminals opposite the contact tangs 72-72 are flush with thesurface 52. The base portion 42 is in condition to receive the cord 33and the conductors 41-41 and then to be assembled to the lid portion 43.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, there is shown the lid portion 43which is designed to be mated with the base portion 42 to form the plug34. The lid portion 43 includes a plurality of spaced parallellongitudinally formed ribs 81-81 which project from a surface 82thereof. When the lid portion 43 is aligned with the base portion 42,each one of the ribs 81-81 is aligned with an associated one of theconductor-receiving troughs 49-49.

The conductors 41-41 are separated and individual ones thereof placed inthe associated ones of the conductor-receiving troughs 49-49 to beconfined laterally between adjacent ones of the partitions 46- 46. Then,when the lid portion 43 is mated with and bonded ultrasonically to thebase portion 42, the ribs 81-81 are interposed between associated onesof the partitions and extend into associated ones of theconductor-receiving troughs 49-49.The ribs 81-81 engage the associatedones of the conductors 41-41 in the associated ones of theconductor-receiving troughs 49-49 and confine the conductors between theribs and the bottom of the troughs while the conductors are confinedlaterally between the adjacent ones of the partitions 46-46. The tangs72-72 of the associated ones of the terminals 71-71 are caused topenetrate the insulation of the conductors 41-41 and establishelectrical contact between the terminals and the conductors.

The thickness of the terminals 71-71 is smaller than the diameter of theconductors 41-41 and the mating of the lid portion 43 to the baseportion 42 could tend to roll the conductors laterally and squeeze theconductors between the associated terminal and the wall of theassociated trough 49 instead of achieving the required penetration ofthe insulation by the tangs 72-72. However, the coining of the contacttangs 72-72 is accomplished to have the dimensions transverse of theterminals between the tips of the contact tangs to be such that theinsulation of the conductors 41-41 will necessarily be penetrated whenthe lid portion 43 is mated to the base portion 42.

The lid portion 43 has several additional features for facilitating theassembly of the cord 33 and conductors therewith. As can best be seen inFIG. 3, the lid portion 43 is formed with raised portion 83 (see alsoFIG. 6). transversely of the ribs 81-81 and which cooperates with theraised portion 61 of the base portion 42 to clamp the jacket 39 of thecord 33 therebetween (see FIG. 12) to provide strain relief for thejacketed portion of the cord. It will be observed from FIG. 12 that thecooperating raised portions 61 and 83 have a rounded configuration toavoid sharp corners which constitute high stress areas and could bemelted during the ultrasonic bonding of the lid portion 43 to the baseportion 42.

Moreover, the lid portion 43 is also formed with a ridge 84 formedtransversely of the ribs 81-81 and interposed between the ribs andraised portion 83. When the lid portion 43 is assembled to the baseportion 42, the ridge 84 cooperates with the channel 62 to form alabyrinth and cause the individual conductors 41-41 to follow a tortuouspath therethrough (see FIG. 12). This provides a snubbing action for theindividual conductors 41-41 thereof (see FIG. 3) and provides strainrelief for the individual conductors.

Additionally, the lid portion 43 includes a pair of spaced grooves 85-85(seeFIG. 6) which'open to a surface which is adjacent the baseportion.42 when the lid portion is mated to the base portion. One of theribs 81-81 which is adjacent one of the grooves 85-85 includes a lip 90formed integrally therewith. The lip 90 projects partially across and isundercut to space the lip above the bottom of one of the grooves 85-85.The grooves 85-85 and the lip 90 are used for mounting facilities whichlatch the plug 34 to the jack 37.

The lid portion 43 is provided with facilities for assembly thereof withthe base portion 42. A positioning key 86 (see FIGS. 2 and 6) is formedintegrally withthe lid portion 43 on each side thereof and projectslaterally from the surface 82 thereof. In the assembly of the plug 34,the lid portion 43 is aligned with the base portion 42 to align the ribs81 with the conductorreceiving troughs 49-49 and to align thepositioning keys 86-86 with the guideways 63-63 formed in the baseportion. Then, when the lid portion 43 is moved into engagement with thebase portion 42 to engage the surface 82 thereof with the energy guides64-64, the positioning keys 86-86 are received in the guideways 63-63 toprevent inadvertent relative movement between the base portion and thelid portion during the ultrasonic bonding of the lid portion to the baseportion.

Additional facilities are provided for facilitating the assembly of theplug 34 to the jack 37. As can best be seen in FIG. 7, the lid portion43 has a recess 87 having a narrow portion 88 extending from one endthereof. The lid portion 43 is formed with a T-shaped block 91, spacedfrom side walls 93 and 94 of the lid portion, projecting into the recess87 and having a tongue 92 for guiding the plug 34 into the jack 37.Also, the lid portion 43 is formed with a pair of spaced bumpers 80projecting from a leading end thereof.

Moreover, a latch, designated generally by the numeral 95, which, forexample, may be made from a flat piece of resilient metal or from aplastic material, is attached to the lid portion 43 spanning theT-shaped block 91. The latch 95 is formed to have a pair of spacedsecuring fingers 96-96 (see FIG. 3), having hooked ends, which aremounted in the grooves 85 in the lid portion3, with the hooked endsprojecting outwardly from one end thereof. The other ends of thesecuring fingers 96-96 are then reversely bent to form spaced side orleg members 97-97. One of the fingers 96-96 is pressed past theoverhanging lip and snapped into place in the groove 85 so that thefinger is retained between the groove and the base to prevent unintendedlateral movement thereof. When the lid portion 43 is mated with the baseportion 42, the hooked ends of the fingers cooperate with holes 89- 89in the base portion to prevent unintended longitudinal movement. Theside members 97 -97 are formed to continue laterally toward one anotherwith arm portions 98-98 which are joined to a release tab 99. When anoperator depresses the release tab 99, the side members 97-97 aredesigned to be received in the space between the T-shaped block 91 andthe side walls 93 and 94, and the release tab is designed to be movedinto the narrower portion 88 of the recess 87.

In describing the jack 37, reference is made to FIGS. 2 and 8-14. Thejack 37 is used to connect electrically a plurality of conductors101-101 (see FIG. 12) from within the handset 32, for example, to aplurality of terminals, designated generally by the numerals 102- 102.Each of the terminals 102-102is generally U- shaped and made from asubstantially flat piece of electrically conductive spring-like stockmaterial such as phosphor-bronze having a thickness t. As can beobserved from FIG. 2, the thickness of the terminals 102-102issubstantially less than the dimensions of the terminals in the planeof the U. Each of the terminals 102-102 has a first leg 103 connected toa second opposite leg 104 by a connecting portion 105. The first leg 103has at least one contact tang 106 formed integrally with, and extendinglaterally therefrom. The first leg 103 also has an upstanding portion107 formed at a free end thereof (see FIGS. 2 and 8). The second leg 104has a first crown or dimple-like I projection 108 and a second crown 109projecting laterally from opposite sides thereof (see FIGS. 2 and 8).Finally, each of the terminals 102-102 has a eutout portion 110 at theintersection of the connecting portion 105 and the second leg 104.Moreover, as can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 14, each of the second legs104-104 is formed so that a portion thereof adjacent the free end isbent out of the plane of the terminal. This prestresses the terminal 102and presets the terminal to insure that the leading ends of theterminals will be received in the flared entrances 56-56, and causeadditional pressure to insure the engagement of the crown 108 with theassociated one of the terminals 71-71 when the plug 34 is mated withthejack 37.

The jack 37 includes a housing, designated generally by the numeral 111(see FIG. 2) in which are mounted the terminals 102-102. The housing 111is made from a block of rigid dielectric material similar to that usedto construct the plug 34. In order to mate the plug 34 with the jack 37,the jack housing 111 has a cavity 112, complementary to at leastportions of the plug, formed therein and opening to a surface 113 of thehousing. The cavity 112 is defined in part by spaced side walls 114 and116, a bottom wall 117, a rear wall 118 (see FIG. 8), a main bodyportion 119 of the housing, and an overhang 120.

Also, the housing 111 is formed with a plurality of spaced parallelterminal-receiving grooves 121-121 opening to two adjacent transverselyextending external surfaces 122 and 123 thereof (see FIG. 11). Each ofthe terminal-receiving grooves 121-121 has a narrow terminahreceivingportion 124 for receiving the first leg 103 of one of the terminals102-102 and a somewhat wider conductor-receiving portion 126 which opensto thesurface 122. The conductor-receiving portions 126-126 of theterminal-receiving grooves 121-121 extend from the surface 123 (seeFIGS. 8 and 9) to a point spaced from the external wall 113. However,the terminal-receiving portions 124- which are somewhat wider than theslots 125-125 to facilitate insertion of the second legs 104-104 of theterminals 102-102 having the crowns 108 and 109 into the cavity 112. v

In order to complete the provisions for mounting the terminals 102-102in the housing 111, the main body portion 119 of the housing has a lip127 which extends above the surface 122 (see FIGS. 2 and 9). A'pluralityof slotted openings 128-128 are cut through the lip 127 and connect withassociated ones of the terminalreceiving portions 124-124 of theterminal-receiving grooves 121-121. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2and 11, the rear wall 118 extends only partially along the side walls114 and 116 toward the body portion 119. Finally, the bottom wall 117 isformed with a plurality of internal grooves 129-129 (see FIGS. 2 and 9)which face into the cavity 112 and a bridge 131 (see FIG. 8) spanningthe grooves. I

The terminal-receiving grooves 121-121 and 125- 125 and the internalgrooves 129-129 define generally U-shaped passages for receiving theterminals 102-102. Each of the terminals 102-102 is mounted in thehousing 111 with the first leg 103 thereof anchored in theterminal-receiving portion 124 of the associated one of theterminal-receiving grooves 121- 121 with the tangs 106-106 thereofprotruding into the conductor-receiving portion 126 (see FIG. 12). Theconnecting leg of each of the terminals 102- 102 is received in theportion of the terminal-receiving groove 121 which opens to the externalsurface 123 and in the associated oneof the grooves -125 in the rearwall 118. Finally, the second leg 104 of each of the terminals 102-102is inserted through the associated one of the holes 130-130 and ispositioned in an associated one of the grooves 129-129 with the cutoutportion 110 seated in engagement with the bridge 131.

It will be recalled that the terminals 71-71 are flush with the surface52 of the base portion 42 of the plug 34. However, in jack 37 the secondlegs 104-104 are not flush with the tops of the walls of the grooves129-129, but instead protrude thereabove. The portion of each of the secondlegs 104-104 which protrudes above the tops of the groove walls is thusmade available for receipt in an associated one of the terminalreceivinggrooves 53-53 when the plug 34 is mated to the jack 37.

It should be observed from FIGS. 2 and 9 that the width of each of thegrooves 129-129 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis ofthe grooves is somewhatlarger than the thickness of the second leg 104of the terminal 102 to be received therein. After the terminals 102-102are mounted in the terminalreceiving grooves 121-121, it is unnecessaryto provide support for the second legs 104-104 thereof. However, thegrooves 129-129 function to insulate the 1 1 second legs 104-104 fromone another and limit the lateral movement of the second legs. In thisway the deflection of the second legs 104-104 of the terminals 102-102is controlled to prevent the second legs from being turned out ofalignment with the longitudinal axis of the jack 37 when the plug 34 isinserted into the jack.

The terminals 102-102 are mounted in the housing 111 so that the firstlegs 103-103 are anchored therein. This causes bending stresses to bedeveloped in the second legs 104-104 which are free to be deflected inthe grooves 129-129 as the second legs are mated with the terminals71-71 of the plug 34. The resiliency of the material of the terminals102-102 causes thepre-stressed legs 104-104 to maintain the crown 108 inengagement with the associated one of the terminals 71-71.

' Because of the mounting arrangement of the terminals 102-102 in thehousing 111, the terminals may be subjected to torsional stresses whenthe plug 34 is inserted into the jack 37. Although the first legs 103-103 of the terminals 102-102 are anchored inthe housing 111, the secondlegs 104-104 are designed to be deflected laterally within predeterminedlimits. The deflection of the second legs 104-104 may be accompanied bya certain amount of twist in the connecting legs 105-105 which permits acontrolled reduction of the bending stresses in the second legs. Themounting of the terminals 102-102 is designed to optimize the engagementthereof with the terminals 71-71 without causing unduly high bendingstresses in the terminals 102-102.

The housing 111 has several additional features to facilitate theassembly and installation thereof with telephone apparatus. The housing111 includes a stud 132 formed with the bottom wall 117 and dependingtherefrom. The stud 132 is received in an opening (not shown) in thetelephone base 31, for example, to position accurately the jack 37therein. A mounting lug 133 extends laterally from each of the sidewalls 114 and 116 to permit attachment of the jack 37 to the telephone30 or a terminal block (not shown). The housing 111 is also formed witha guide slot 134 in the overhang 120 of the main body portion 119thereof for receiving the tongue 92 of the lid portion 43 of the plug 34to guide the plug into the cavity 112. A pair of spaced alignment keys136-136 are formed integrally with the housing 111 and extend from thesurface 122 thereof (see FIGS. 2 and 9) to facilitate assembly of thehousing with a cover 141.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 10, the cover 141 is adapted to bemated with the housing 1 11. The cover 141 has a plurality of ribs142-142 (see FIG. formed on one surface thereof and which are receivedin associated ones of the terminal-receiving grooves 121-121 when thecover is mated with the housing 111. In order to facilitate thealignment of the cover 141 with the housing 111, the cover has alignmentslots 143-143 cut in opposed lateral edges thereof for receiving thealignment keys 136-136. Moreover, a plurality of energy guides 144-144are formed on an underside thereof to facilitate the bondingultrasonically of the cover 141 to the housing 111. The cover 141 has anotch 145 formed along one edge thereof with the notch dimensioned toreceive the lip 127.

Finally, the cover 141 has a plurality of cul-de-sacs 146-146 formedalong a trailing edge thereof and aligned with associated ones of theterminal-receiving grooves 121-121. The cul-de-sacs 146-146 are formedhaving an inner portion which is sized to that of the diameter of one ofthe conductors 101-101. But the entrance to each of the cul-de-sacs146-146 is somewhat narrowed (see FIG. 10) so that one of the conductorsmust be .compressed between opposing bights 147-147 to be moved into theinner nesting portion. When the cover 141 is bonded to the housing 111,the conductors 101-101 are pressed into associated ones of thecul-de-sacs 146-146 to provide strain relief for the conductors duringthe use of the telephone 30. A raised portion 148 formed on theunderside of the cover 141 presses the conductor 101 against the surface122 to provide additional strain relief for the conductors.

It should be appreciated that the mini plug-34 and jack 37 havedimensions small enough so that the jack may be installed inexisting'telephone apparatus. For example, the terminals 71-71 areapproximately 0.345 inch long with a thickness of 0.010 inch. The plug34 measures approximately 0.595 inch along a longitudinal axis'throughthe passage 144 thereof, by 0.332 inch wide, by 0.360 inch deep asmeasured from the surface 52 of the b'aseportion 42 'to the externalsurface of the lid portion 43 when the lid portion is mated with thebase portion. The housing 111 of the jack 37 has an approximatelength of0.400 inch, a width of 0.470 inch and a height of 0.770 inch.

Moreover, it should be appreciated that the terminals 71-71 and 102-102are mounted in the plug 34 and the jack 37, respectively, with a minimumcenter to center spacing of approximately 60 mils which permits theminiature sizes of the dielectric parts. The mounting arrangement of theterminals 71- 71 and 102-102 together with the conductors permitsterminals to be of a blade, stand-up type with the thickness thereofbeing generally smaller than the cross sectional dimension of theconductors.

In order to mate the plug 34 and the jack 37, asubscriber or aninstaller moves the plug 34 into proximity of the jack 37 and aligns theplug with the jack so that the tongue 92 is aligned with the guide slot134 in the housing 1 1 1.

With the tongue 92 aligned with the guide slot 134 in the housing 111,the operator moves the plug 34 along a path of travel parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the passage 44 in the plug and into the cavity 112until the bumpers -80 of the lid portion 43 engage the rear wall 118.The seating of the cutout portion of the terminals 102-102 with thebridge 131 resists the forces imparted to the terminals as the terminalsare moved into the flared entrances 56-56 of the plug 34.

The second leg 104 of each of the stand-up blade terminals 102-102 ofthe jack 37 is received in an associated one of the terminal-receivinggrooves 53- 53 of the base portion 42 to engage the associated ones ofthe terminals 71-71 of the plug 34 (see FIGS. 12 and 13). Because of thepre-set of portions of the second legs 104-104, the crowns 108, whichare moved first into the associated ones of the grooves 53-53 tend to beurged into engagement with the associated ones of the terminals 71-71.As can best be seen in FIG. 13,

the crown 109 on each of the second legs 104-104 of the terminals102-102 engages the opposed wall of the associated terminal-receivinggroove 53 to further urge the crown 108 of the terminal into engagementwith the associated one of the first terminals 71-71 secured within theterminal-receiving groove in the plug 34. i

The overall thickness of the terminal 102 including the projectingdimension of the crowns 108 and 109, plus the thickness of the terminal71 is greater than the width of each of the terminal-receiving grooves53- 53. Thus, when the terminals 71-71 are positioned in the grooves53-53, the remaining width of the grooves is less than the overallthickness of the terminal 102. Then, when portions of the second legs104-104 of the associated terminals 102-102 are moved into theterminal-receiving grooves, the crowns 109-109 press against the wallsof the associated grooves. Moreover, the relation between the overallthickness of the leg 104 and the useable width of the terminal-receivinggroove 53 causes the second leg to assume a serpentine shape when thecontact portion of the second leg is caused to be moved into theassociated one of the terminal-receiving grooves. This urges the crowns108- 108 into engagement with the terminals 71-71 (see FIG. 13) toinsure adequate contact pressure between the crowns 108-108 and theterminals 71-71.

It may also be observed from FIGS. 2 and 12 that the latch 95 providedon the plug 34 is used to secure the plug within the jack 37. In thisregard, the insertion of the plug 34 into the jack cavity 112 causes thelatch 95 to be urged into the recess 87 of the lid portion 43 of theplug. Then, when the plug 34 is positioned properly within the jackcavity 112, the resiliently mounted latch 95 is biased upwards from therecess 87 of the lid portion 43 of the plug to move the arm portions98-98 toward the main body portion 119 of the jack 37 until the armportions are captured and retained behind the overhand 120 as therelease tab 99 protrudes through the guide slot 134 (see FIG. 12).

Then, when it is desired to disconnect the plug 34 from the jack 37, thesubscriber or installer merely depresses the release tab 99 andwithdraws slidably the plug from within the cavity 112. A replacementcord 33 provided with a plug 34 at each end thereof may be connectedeasily to the telephone 30.

Turning now to FIG. 15, there is shown a jack 150 which isan alternateembodiment of the jack 37 that embodies the principles of the presentinvention. In FIG. 15, there is also shown a mating plug identical tothe plug 34 shown in FIG. 2, except that it is inverted from theposition shown in FIG. 2 to mate with the jack 150 to engage a pluralityof terminals 152-152 in the jack with associated ones of the terminals71-71 of the plug.

Each of the terminals 152-152 is made from a generally flat strip ofelectrically conductive spring-like material such as phosphor bronze andis generally U- shaped having a first leg 153 and a second opposed leg154 connectedtherebetween by a portion 155. The leg 153, a portion oftheleg 154 and the connecting portion 155 lie substantially in the sameplane. Aportion of the second leg 154 adjacent the free end thereof isprebent out of the plane to prestress the second leg to function similarto the second leg 104 of the terminals 102-102. The first leg 153 isprovided with at least one contact tang 156 which pierces the insulationof associated ones of conductors (not shown)and with an upstandingportion 157 for anchoring the terminal against longitudinal movementrelative to the jack 150. Finally, the second second leg 154 of each ofthe terminals 152-152 is provided with a crown 158 and a crown 159formed integrally with and protruding from opposed sides of the secondleg.

The first and second legs 153 and 154, respectively, of the jack arespaced apart a substantially lesser distance than the first and secondlegs 103 and 104 of the terminals 102-102 of the jack 37. The distancebetween the legs 103 and 104 of the terminals 102- 102 must besufficient 'to receive the plug 34 therebetween (see FIG. 2), withthecontact portions 79-79 of the terminals 71-71-engaging an upper portionof the second legs 104-.104 of the terminals 102-102 (as viewed in FIG.2) which faces into the U and is closest to the first leg thereof. Inthe present jack embodiment, the plug 34 is received in the jack 150 sothat a lower portion (as viewed in FIG. 15) of the second legs 154-154engage the contact portions 79- 79 of the plug terminals 71-71.

The dielectric portion of the jack 150 is similar to that of the jack 37andincludes a housing 161 molded from a block of dielectric material andhaving a cavity 162 opening to a surface 163 thereof. The cavity 162 isdefined by a side wall 164, a sidewall 166, a bottom wall 167, a rearwall 168, and a main body portion 169 of the housing.

The housing 161 has a plurality of terminal-receiving grooves 171 whichopen to transversely extending external surfaces 172 and 173 thereof.The external grooves 171 each have a narrow terminal-receiving portion174 for receiving the first leg 153 of one of the terminals 152-152 anda wider"conductor-receiving portion 176 for receiving the conductors(not shown). The tangs 156-156 of the terminals 152-152 protrude intothe conductor-receiving portions 176- 176 of the grooves 171-171 topierce the insulation of the conductors (not shown) and establishelectrical contact between the conductors (not shown) and the terminals.

The conductor-receiving portions 176-176 of the grooves 171-171 extendfrom the surface 173 to a point spaced from the surface 163 of the mainportion 169 of the housing 161. On the other hand, theterminal-receiving portions 174-174 extend from the surface 173 througha lip 177 tothe surface 163. The rear wall 168 of the housing 161 isformed with a plurality of parallel spaced slotted openings (not shown)with each one of the slotted openings aligned with an associated one ofthe grooves17l-171. Finally, a surface of the main body portion. 169which faces into the cavity 162 is formed with a plurality of internalgrooves 179-179 with the space between adjacent ones of the groovesaligned with associated ones of the slotted openings (not shown) andwith associated ones of the grooves 171-171.

The grooves 171-171, the slotted openings (not shown) and the internalgrooves 179-179 define a generally U-shaped conductor-receiving passage.The terminals 152-152 are mounted in the housing 161 with the first leg153 of each of the terminalsreceived in the associatedone of theterminal-receiving portions 174-174, the connecting portion 155 of eachterminal is received in the associated one of the slotted openings (notshown), and an upper portion (as viewed in FIG. 15) of the second leg154 of each terminal is received in an associated one of the grooves179-179. The upstanding portions 167-167 are received in slotted grooves178-178 which are continuations of the grooves 171-171 and which are cutthrough the lip 177.

It should be observed that the second leg 154 of each of the terminals152-152 is cantilevered from the connecting portion 155 thereof into thecavity 162. The material defining the grooves 179-179 serves to insulatethe second legs 154-154 from each other, and to limit the amount oflateral movement of the second legs. In this way, the second leg 154 maypivot or flex from the line of intersection with the connecting portion155 thereof to facilitate insertion of the plug 34 into the cavity 162with the accompanying receipt of the terminals 152-152 in associatedones of the terminal-receiving grooves 53-53 in the plug 34.

In this embodiment, the grooves which limit the lateral movement areformed in the internal face of the main body portion 169 whereas in thehereinabove described embodiment, the grooves were formed in the bottomwall 117 of the housing 111.

Also, in this embodiment, the housing 161 has a mounting lug 183attached to and extending from each of the side walls 164 and 166.Moreover, the housing 161 has a guide slot'184 formed in the bottom wall167 for receiving the tongue 92 on the lid portion 43 of the mating plug34. As with the heretofore described embodiment, the alignment of thetongue 92 with the guide slot 184 aligns the plug 34 with the cavity 162to permit the assembly of the plug with the jack 150. The housing 161also includes a pair of spaced alignment keys 186-186 extending from thesurface 172 thereof.

As can best be seen in FIG. 15, the bottom wall 167 of the housing has astrip 188 formed therearound so that when the plug 34 is received in thecavity 162 and the release tab 99 of the latch 95 is depressed and thenbiased away from the plug, the arm portions 98-98 lock behind the strip188 to secure the plug within the jack 150.

Further, it can be seen in FIG. 15 that the jack 150 is provided with acover 191 for engaging the top surface 172 of the housing 161. The cover191 has a plurality of ribs 192-192 formed on the underside thereof anda pair of spaced alignment slots 193-193 for receiving the alignmentkeys 186-186. Also the cover 191 has energy guides (not shown)projecting therefrom for engaging the surface 172 to facilitate thewelding ultrasonically of the cover to the housing 161. When the cover191 is welded to the housing 161, the ribs 192- 192 are received inassociated ones of the grooves 171-171 to move the conductors (notshown) to the bottoms of the conductor-receiving portions 176-176. Thiscauses the contact tangs 156-156 of the terminals 152-152 to pierce theinsulation of the conductors -(not shown) to establish electricalcontact thereb etween.

Still another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 16 with ajack, designated generally by the numeral 200, mounted in a portion of atelephone handset 32. The jack 200 is adapted to be mated with the plug34 which is universally connectable to all of the embodiments of theinventive jack.

As can best be seen in FIG. 17, the plug 200 includes at least oneelectrically conductive terminal, designated generally by the numeral202, having a first leg 203 connected toa second leg 204. The first leg203 includes a plurality of contact tangs 206-206 projecting laterallytherefrom and an anchoring lug 207 projecting laterally from an oppositeside thereof. The axes of the first and second legs 203 and 204,respectively, are at some angle to one another. Unlike the terminals102-102 and the terminals 152-152, the terminals 202-202 are notU-shaped.

The second leg 204 of. each of the terminals 202- 202 includes a firstcrown 208 on one side thereof and a second crown 209 on the oppositeside thereof. Finally, each of the terminals 202-202 has an enlargedportion 210 extending laterally of a free end thereof.

Referring again to FIG. 17, the at least one terminal 202 is shownmounted in a housing, designated generally by the numeral 211, of thejack 200. The

housing 211 has a cavity 212 for receiving at least portions of themating plug 34 and also includes a plurality of terminal-receivinggrooves 213-213 for receiving the terminals 202-202. Each groove 213 hasa wider portion for receiving an associated one of a plurality ofinsulated conductors 214-214. Moreover, when the terminals 202-202 aremounted in the terminalreceiving grooves 213-213 of the housing 211, thecontact tangs 206-206 protrude into the wider portions of the grooves.

The housing 211 is also formed with a plurality of keyways 216-216 whichopen to the terminal-receiving grooves 213-213 for receiving theterminal anchoring lugs 207-207 when the terminals 202-202 arepositioned in the grooves. In this way, the terminals 202-202 areanchored against unintended longitudinal movement thereof relative tothe housing 211 when the plug 34 is mated with the jack 200.

The housing 211 is adapted to be mated with a cover 217 having aplurality of ribs 218-218 which are designed to be received inassociated ones of the terminal-receiving grooves 213-213 to confine theindividual conductors 214-214 and cause the contact tangs 206-206 topenetrate the insulation and establish electrical contact therewith. Thecover 217 also includes a bridge 219 projecting therefrom to clamp theconductors between the cover and the housing to provide strain relieftherefor.

In the previous two embodiments of the inventive jack, the contact orsecond leg 104 and 154 of each of the terminals 102 and 152,respectively, of the jack was received in the associated one of theinternal grooves 129 and 179, respectively, formed in the housing andwhich opened into the cavity 112 and 162, respectively. In thisembodiment, the terminal-receiving passage is completed by grooves221-221 formed in the underside of the cover 217 and which face into thecavity 212. When the terminals 202-202 are received in theterminal-receiving grooves 213-213, the enlarged portions 210-210thereof are received in associated ones of the internal grooves 221-221.The material between the grooves 221-221 serves to insulate adminals andalso limits the lateral movement thereof.

In mating the plug 34 with the jack 200, the plug is inserted into thecavity 212, so that the second legs 204-204 of the terminals 202-202arereceived in associated ones of the terminal-receiving grooves 53-53 ofthe base portion42 of the plug. As the free ends of the terminals202-202 are moved into the flared entrances 56-56 and into theterminal-receiving grooves, the crown209 engages the opposed wall of theterminal-receiving groove to urge the crown 208 on the opposite side ofthe terminal into engagement with the associated terminal 71 in the baseportion 42 of the plug 34. The plug 34 is moved slidably into the cavity212 in a path of motion along the longitudinal axes of the terminals202-202 until the plug engages a rear wall 222 of the housing 211. i

The principles of the present inventions greatly facilitate theinstallations of telephone sets. For example, the plug 34 hereinbeforedescribed is designed to be used with all telephone sets. For example,the plug 34 hereinbefore described is attached to each end of alltelephone cords, retractileand straight. The straight cords may be usedto connect electrically the base .portion 31 of the telephone set 30with a wall terminal, (not shown). The retractile cords 33-33 are usedto connect electrically the handset 32 with the base 31 of a telephone30.

Several different construction jacks which embody the principles of thisinvention are usedin the different telephones 30-30 depending on thedesigns of the handset and base portions thereof. All of thedifferentconstruction jacks are adapted to be mated with one of the universalplugs 34-34. The installation of a cord by an installer or a replacementcord by an installer or a subscriber is greatly facilitated. Moreover,the universal adaptability of the plug 34 with any type jack makespossible the reduction of inventories required for cords havingdifferent plug ends.

The base portion 42 is made of a material which withstands prolongedexposure to high temperature atmosphere to which the cords 33-33 areexposed when the cords are rendered retractile. Hence, the plugs 34-34may be attached to the retractile cords 33-33 before the cords arerendered retractile. The dielectric portion of the plug 34 is preferablymolded from polycarbonate of an injection molding grade which remainsdistortion-free at temperatures up to a range of 280 to 290 F atatmospheric pressure. An example of such material is Lexan 2805-112,available from the General Electric Company of Pittsfield, Mass. Thetemperatures to which the cord 33 is exposed in order to set theretractile shape in the cord is 265 F. Thus the polycarbonate in thedielectric portions can readily tolerate the retractile-settingtemperature of 265 F without suffering any undesired change of shape.Moreover, the material from which the plugs 34-34 are constructed may bepigmented to match the color of the telephone 30.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simplyillustrative of the principles of the invention. Other arrangements maybe devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principlesof the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof. u

What is claimed is: l

18 l..A device 'formaking an electrical connection, which comprises:

aplug assembly which includes, I

mating dielectric parts having facilities for receiving a plurality ofconductors to confine and separate the conductors, one of the matingparts formed having terminal-receiving facilities therein; and cplurality of electrically conductive terminals received in associatedones of the terminalreceiving facilities of the one .of the l matingparts, each of the. te rminals having a portion thereof whichextendsinto the associated one of the conductor-receiving facilities of the onepart and which includes means for engaging electrically and forretaining engagement with associated ones of the conductors positionedin the assembly when the-parts are mated;

the other one of the mating parts having means formed thereon forcausing the engaging means of the portions of the terminals to engageelectrically the associated ones of the conductors when the parts aremated, and

a jack assembly designed to be mated with the plug assembly whichincludes,

mating dielectric parts having facilities for receiving a plurality ofconductors and confining individually the conductors, one of the matingparts having walls which define terminal-receiving passages, the wallsof portions of the passages designed to permit a predetermined lateraldeflection of the associated portions of the associated terminals, thejack assembly having a cavity complementary to atleast portions ofthe'plug assembly to permit insertion of at least portions of the plugassembly into the jack assembly, and i a plurality ofelectrically'conductive terminals having at least portions thereofreceived in the terminal-receiving passages, each of the terminals ofthe jack assembly having a portion thereof which extends into theassociated one of the conductor-receiving facilities and which includesmeans for engaging electrically and being retained in engagement withthe conductors positioned therein when the parts of the jack assemblyare mated,

the other one of the mating parts having means formed thereon forcausing the engaging means of the portions of the terminals to engageelectrically the associated ones of the conductors when the parts aremated, and

portions of the terminals of the jack assembly being received in theassociated onesof the terminal-receiving facilities of the plug assemblyand caused to engage electrically with associated terminals in the plugassembly when the plug assembly is inserted into the cavity of the jackassembly,

the terminals mounted in the jack assembly having at least a portionthereof anchored in the jack assembly and the portion thereof whichengages the associated terminal in the plug assembly being received inthe portions of the associated passage and designed to have apredetermined lateral deflection to facilitate the mating of the plugand jack assemblies and to maintain the terminals of the jack assemblyin electrical engagement with the associated terminals of the plugassembly.

2. The device for making an electrical connection as set forth in claim1, wherein:

the mating dielectric parts of the plug assembly include means forproviding strain relief for the plurality of conductors and forindividual ones of the conductors positioned therein, and

the mating dielectric parts of the jack assembly includes facilities forproviding strain relief for the conductors positioned therein.

3. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

the one of thedielectric parts of the jack assembly is provided withmeans formed transversely of the associated terminals for supporting theassociated terminals to prevent unintended relative longitudinalmovement between the terminals and the one dielectric part of the jackassembly, and

each of the terminals associated with the jack assembly is configured tobe seated in engagement with the associated supporting means to supportthe terminals against unintended longitudinal movement when the plugassembly is inserted into the cavity in the jack assembly.

4. The device for making an electrical connection of claim 1, whichfurther comprises:

means formed on at least one of the parts of the plug assembly and on atleast one of the parts of the jack assembly for concentrating bondingenergy and facilitating the bonding together ultrasonically of parts oftheplug assembly and the bonding together ultrasonically of the parts ofthe jack assembly.

5. The device for making an electrical connection of claim 1, whichfurther comprises:

releasable latching means associated with the plug assembly and the jackassembly for securing together the plug and jack assemblies to preventunintended uncoupling thereof.

6. A device for making an electrical connection,

which comprises:

a first unit which includes,

a first dielectric part having a plurality of conductor-receivingtroughs for receiving associated ones of a plurality of associatedconductors and having a plurality of terminal-receiving grooves openingon a surface and communicating with the conductor-receiving troughs; and

a second dielectric part designed to be mated with the first part andhaving ribs extending from one surface thereof and received inassociated ones of the conductor-receiving troughs of the first partwhen the second part is mated to the first part to confine theconductors positioned therein between the rib and first part;

a plurality of first terminals inserted into the terminal-receivinggrooves of the first part, the first terminals having contact portionsand having conductor-input portions extending into the associated one ofthe conductor-receiving troughs and which includes means for engagingelectrically and for retaining engagement with the conductor positionedin the associated trough when the second part is mated to the firstpart; the ribs on the second dielectric part of the first unit beingeffective to cause the engaging means. of the portions of the terminalsto engage electrically the associated ones of the conductors when theparts are mated, and v a second unit adapted to be mated with the firstunit and which includes,

a first dielectric part having a cavity complementary to at leastportions of the first unit designed to be received in the cavity, thefirst part of the second unit having a plurality of terminalreceivinggrooves opening to an external surface thereof for receiving associatedones of a plurality of associated conductors, the first part alsoincluding a plurality of internal grooves aligned with theterminal-receiving grooves and facing into the cavity, the internalgrooves cooperating with the terminal-receiving grooves to defineterminal-receiving passages, and

a second dielectric part adapted to be mated with the first part of thesecond unit, andhaving ribs formed thereon which project into theassociated ones of the terminal-receiving grooves to confine theconductors between the ribs and the first part of the second unit whenthe second part of the second unit. is mated with the first part of thesecond unit; and

a plurality of second terminals designed to be positioned in theterminal-receiving passages and having conductor-engaging portions whichterminate in the terminal-receiving grooves and which includes means forengaging electrically and for retaining in engagement with theconductors positioned in the terminal-receiving grooves when the secondpart of the second unit is mated to the first part thereof,

the ribs on the second dielectric part of the second unit beingeffective to cause the engaging means of the portions of the terminalsto engage electrically the associated ones of the conductors when theparts are mated, and

each of the second terminals having a portion thereof anchored in thesecond unit when the second part of the second unit is mated with thefirst part of the second unit, and having a contact portion adapted tobe received in the associated internal groove of the first part of thesecond unit and being capable of fiexure, with the deflection of thecontact portion of the second terminal being limited to within theassociated internal groove,

at least portions of the first unit being insertable into the cavity ofthe second unit to cause the contact portion of the second terminal inthe internal groove to be moved into the associated-terminalreceivinggroove of the first unit to engage the contact portion of the firstterminal therein and establish and maintain electrical connectiontherebetween.

7. A device for making an electrical connection,

which comprises:

a first assembly, which includes a first subassembly which includes,

a first dielectric part having a passage formed therethrough with aplurality of parallel longitudinally formed partitions projecting intothe passage to form a plurality of elongated conductor-receiving troughsfor confining and separating associated individual conductors designedto be received therein against lateral movement in the passage andhaving a plurality of terminal-receiving grooves opening on a surface ofthe first part and communicating with associated ones of theconductor-receiving troughs, each of the terminal-receiving grooveshaving a flared entrance openingon the surface of the first partextending transverse to the other surface, each of theterminal-receiving grooves having a restriction at one end and ashoulder projecting transversely of and into the entrance at the otherend; and i 1 a second dielectric part having a plurality of ribs formedon one surface thereof, the second part designed to be mated with thefirst part with the ribs interposed between associated ones of thepartitions and extending into associated ones of the conductor-receivingtroughs for confining further transverse movement of associatedconductors; and

a plurality of first electrically conductive terminals mounted inassociated ones of the terminalreceiving grooves of the first part andhaving one end in engagement with the shoulder and the other endreceived in the restriction to confine the opposite ends of theterminal,

each of the first terminals having barbs formed in tegrally therewith onthe ends thereof penetrating the material defining the groove to securethe first terminals within the first part, and having contact portionsformed thereon protruding into the associated ones of theconductorreceiving troughs so that when the second part is mated withthe first part and the ribs confine the conductors positioned in theassociated ones of the troughs, the contact portions of the associatedfirst terminals become engaged electrically with the conductors,

each of the first terminals having a crown formed thereon for engagingthe opposed wall of the as sociated terminal-receiving groove tomaintain the terminal in engagement with the adjacent wall of theassociated terminal-receiving groove; and a second assembly whichincludes,

a second subassembly including a first dielectric part having a cavitycomplementary to at least portions of the first subassembly designed tobe received in the cavity, the first part of the second subassemblyhaving a plurality of terminal-receiving grooves opening to an externalsurface thereof and adapted to receive insulated conductors, and havinga plurality of internal grooves formed in one of the surfaces thereofwhich face into the cavity, are alignedwith associated ones of theterminal-receiving grooves and extend transverse to :the externalsurface to cooperate with the associated terminalreceiving grooves todefine terminal-receiving passages,and

a second dielectric part, adapted to be'mated with the first part of thesecond subassembly having a plurality of ribs formed on one surfacethereof, the ribs being received in associated ones of the grooveswhenthe second part of the second subassembly is mated with the firstpart of the secondsubassembly, and

a plurality of second electrically conductive terminals, each havingfirstand second legs, and

designed to be positioned in the terminal-receiving passages and havingcontact portions formed on the first legs thereof which extend laterallyof the associated first legs and terminate in portions of the associatedgrooves designed to receive associated conductors so that when theconductors are positioned in the associated grooves and the second partof the second subassembly is mated with the first part of the secondsubassembly, the ribs confine the conductors and the contact portionsbecome engaged electrically therewith,

the second legs of the second terminals extending into the cavity andbeing confined in associated ones of the internal grooves to engage theassociated one of the first terminals when the first assembly isinserted into the cavity longitudinally of the associated second legs ofthe second terminals,

the second terminals being anchored in the first part of the secondsubassembly with the free ends of the second legs of the terminalsextending into the cavity and being designed to be capable of deflectiontransversely, the transverse movement of the free ends of the secondlegs being restricted by the associated internal grooves to preventmisalignment of the second terminals and facilitate insertion of thecontact portion of each of the second terminals into an associated oneof the terminal-receiving grooves in the first part of the firstsubassembly,

each of the second terminals having first and second crowns projectingfrom opposite sides thereof the second crown being adapted to engage theopposed wall of the associated terminal-receiving groove in thefirstsubassembly to urge the associated first crown projecting from the otherside of the second terminal into engagement with the associated firstterminal.

8. The device for making an electrical connection as set forth in claim7, which further comprises:

complementary means formed on the first and second parts of the firstsubassembly transversely of the troughs for clamping a plurality of theconductors therebetween and for anchoring individual ones of theconductors to provide strain relief for the plurality of conductors andfor the individual ones of the conductors; and

complementary means formed on the first and second parts of the secondsubassembly for providing strain relief for the conductors positionedtherein.

9. The device for making an electrical connection as set forth in claim7, which further includes the first part of the second subassembly isprovided each of the second terminals is configured to be seated inengagement with the supporting means when the second terminals areinserted into the l terminal-receiving passages so that when the firstassembly is inserted into the second assembly, the second terminals aresupported against unintended longitudinal movement. 10. The device formaking an electrical connection as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

the thickness ofeach of the first terminals plus the overall thicknessof the second terminals, including the projecting dimensions of thefirst and second crowns, is greater than the width of theterminal-receiving groove of the first part of the first assembly tocause the second leg of each of the second terminals to assume aserpentine configuration when the second leg is caused to be moved intothe associated one of the terminal-receiving grooves and insure that thesecond crown thereof presses into the opposed walls of theterminalreceiving groove and that the first crown engages the associatedfirst terminal with sufficient pressure to establish adequate electricalcontact therebetween. 11. The device for making an electrical connectionas set forth in claim 7, wherein:

the contact portions formed on the first and second electricallyconductive terminals includes at least two tangs spaced along one edgeof each of the terminals, each of the tangs being substantiallywedge-shaped with a base thereof integral with the main body portion ofthe terminal and with an apex thereof external of the main body portion,each of the tangs being coined on one side thereof, with the distancebetween the apices of the tangs as measured orthogonally of the plane ofthe terminal being predetermined to insure penetration of insulatedconductors positioned in the troughs and in the terminal-receivinggrooves when the second parts of the first and second dielectricsubassemblies are mated with the first parts of the first and seconddielectric subassemblies respectively. 12. The device for making anelectrical connection as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

the second leg of each of the second electrically conductive terminalsis formed with a portion thereof adjacent the free end being bent out ofthe plane of the terminal to bias the first crown thereof toward thefirst terminal in the associated terminal-receiving groove to pre-alignthe free end thereof with the flared entrance to facilitate the matingof the terminals with the first assembly and to urge the bent portionsof the second legs toward the plane of the associated first terminals tocreate adequate pressure contact between the first and second terminals.13 The device for making an electrical connection as set forth in claim7, which further comprises:

24 releasable latching means associated with the first and secondsubassemblies and rendered effective subsequent to the insertion of theat least portions of the first assembly into the cavity of the secondassembly for securing together the first and second assemblies toprevent unintended uncoupling thereof. l4. The'device for making anelectrical connection, defined in claim 7, and which further comprises:

the first part'of the second subassembly having an overhanging portionextending into the cavity thereof and having a slot cut therein,

the second part of the first subassembly having a pair of spacedlatch-receiving grooves opening to the one surface thereof, one of theribs of the second part of the first subassembly having a lip formedintegrally therewithand extending partially transversely of one of thelatch-receiving grooves to overhang partially the one of the latchreceiving grooves, further, the second part of the first subassemblyhaving a U-shaped slot formed in another surface opposed to the onesurface opening to a free end of the second part and having a secondslot connected to the U-shaped slot and opening to a conductor-input endof the second part,

the first part of the first subassembly having spaced apertures openingto said passage; and

a latch made of a resilient material and including a pair of securingfingers each having an upstanding portion at one end thereof, each ofthe securing fingers connected to a leg portion extending reverselyangularly of the associated securing finger, each of the leg portionshaving a transversely extending arm portion, the arm portions projectingtoward one another, each one of the arm portions connected to one end ofa U-shaped release tab designed to be received in the slot in theoverhanging portion, the latch being assembled to the second part of thefirst subassembly with one of the securing fingers being urged past thelip to seat the one securing finger in the associated one of thelatch-receiving grooves between the lip and the bottom of the groove andwith the other securing finger received in the other one of thelatch-receiving grooves, the upstanding portions projecting externallyof the second part, oriented toward the conductor-input end of thesecond part of the first subassembly and being received in the aperturesof the first part to prevent unintended longitudinal movement of thelatch, the connection of the securing fingers to the leg portions beingoriented toward the end of the second part which is the leading endmoved into the cavity of the second assembly, the release tab orientedtoward the conductor-input end of the second part of the firstsubassembly, the device being assembled by depressing the release tab tomove-the leg portions and the arm portions into the U-shaped slot andthe release tab into the second slot and causing relative movementbetween the first and second assemblies to move the first assembly intomating engagement with the second assembly whereafter the release tab ispermitted to be returned resiliently to a normal position angled to thesecuring fingers to move the arm portions thereof be-

1. A device for making an electrical connection, which comprises: a plugassembly which includes, mating dielectric parts having faciLities forreceiving a plurality of conductors to confine and separate theconductors, one of the mating parts having terminal-receiving facilitiesformed therein; and a plurality of electrically conductive terminalsreceived in associated ones of the terminal-receiving facilities of theone of the mating parts, each of the terminals having a portion thereofwhich extends into the associated one of the conductor-receivingfacilities of the one part and which includes means for engagingelectrically and for retaining engagement with associated ones of theconductors positioned in the assembly when the parts are mated; theother one of the mating parts having means formed thereon for causingthe engaging means of the portions of the terminals to engageelectrically the associated ones of the conductors when the parts aremated, and a jack assembly designed to be mated with the plug assemblywhich includes, mating dielectric parts having facilities for receivinga plurality of conductors and confining individually the conductors, oneof the mating parts having walls which define terminal-receivingpassages, the walls of portions of the passages designed to permit apredetermined lateral deflection of the associated portions of theassociated terminals, the jack assembly having a cavity complementary toat least portions of the plug assembly to permit insertion of at leastportions of the plug assembly into the jack assembly, and a plurality ofelectrically conductive terminals having at least portions thereofreceived in the terminal-receiving passages, each of the terminals ofthe jack assembly having a portion thereof which extends into theassociated one of the conductor-receiving facilities and which includesmeans for engaging electrically and being retained in engagement withthe conductors positioned therein when the parts of the jack assemblyare mated, the other one of the mating parts having means formed thereonfor causing the engaging means of the portions of the terminals toengage electrically the associated ones of the conductors when the partsare mated, and portions of the terminals of the jack assembly beingreceived in the associated ones of the terminal-receiving facilities ofthe plug assembly and caused to engage electrically with associatedterminals in the plug assembly when the plug assembly is inserted intothe cavity of the jack assembly, the terminals mounted in the jackassembly having at least a portion thereof anchored in the jack assemblyand the portion thereof which engages the associated terminal in theplug assembly being received in the portions of the associated passageand designed to have a predetermined lateral deflection to facilitatethe mating of the plug and jack assemblies and to maintain the terminalsof the jack assembly in electrical engagement with the associatedterminals of the plug assembly.
 2. The device for making an electricalconnection as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the mating dielectric partsof the plug assembly include means for providing strain relief for theplurality of conductors and for individual ones of the conductorspositioned therein, and the mating dielectric parts of the jack assemblyincludes facilities for providing strain relief for the conductorspositioned therein.
 3. An electrical connector as set forth in claim 1wherein: the one of the dielectric parts of the jack assembly isprovided with means formed transversely of the associated terminals forsupporting the associated terminals to prevent unintended relativelongitudinal movement between the terminals and the one dielectric partof the jack assembly, and each of the terminals associated with the jackassembly is configured to be seated in engagement with the associatedsupporting means to support the terminals against unintendedlongitudinal movement when the plug assembly is inserted into the cavityin the jack assembly.
 4. The device for making an electrical connectionof claim 1, which further comprises: means formed on at least one of theparts of the plug assembly and on at least one of the parts of the jackassembly for concentrating bonding energy and facilitating the bondingtogether ultrasonically of parts of the plug assembly and the bondingtogether ultrasonically of the parts of the jack assembly.
 5. The devicefor making an electrical connection of claim 1, which further comprises:releasable latching means associated with the plug assembly and the jackassembly for securing together the plug and jack assemblies to preventunintended uncoupling thereof.
 6. A device for making an electricalconnection, which comprises: a first unit which includes, a firstdielectric part having a plurality of conductor-receiving troughs forreceiving associated ones of a plurality of associated conductors andhaving a plurality of terminal-receiving grooves opening on a surfaceand communicating with the conductor-receiving troughs; and a seconddielectric part designed to be mated with the first part and having ribsextending from one surface thereof and received in associated ones ofthe conductor-receiving troughs of the first part when the second partis mated to the first part to confine the conductors positioned thereinbetween the rib and first part; a plurality of first terminals insertedinto the terminal-receiving grooves of the first part, the firstterminals having contact portions and having conductor-input portionsextending into the associated one of the conductor-receiving troughs andwhich includes means for engaging electrically and for retainingengagement with the conductor positioned in the associated trough whenthe second part is mated to the first part; the ribs on the seconddielectric part of the first unit being effective to cause the engagingmeans of the portions of the terminals to engage electrically theassociated ones of the conductors when the parts are mated, and a secondunit adapted to be mated with the first unit and which includes, a firstdielectric part having a cavity complementary to at least portions ofthe first unit designed to be received in the cavity, the first part ofthe second unit having a plurality of terminal-receiving grooves openingto an external surface thereof for receiving associated ones of aplurality of associated conductors, the first part also including aplurality of internal grooves aligned with the terminal-receivinggrooves and facing into the cavity, the internal grooves cooperatingwith the terminal-receiving grooves to define terminal-receivingpassages, and a second dielectric part adapted to be mated with thefirst part of the second unit, and having ribs formed thereon whichproject into the associated ones of the terminal-receiving grooves toconfine the conductors between the ribs and the first part of the secondunit when the second part of the second unit is mated with the firstpart of the second unit; and a plurality of second terminals designed tobe positioned in the terminal-receiving passages and havingconductor-engaging portions which terminate in the terminal-receivinggrooves and which includes means for engaging electrically and forretaining in engagement with the conductors positioned in theterminal-receiving grooves when the second part of the second unit ismated to the first part thereof, the ribs on the second dielectric partof the second unit being effective to cause the engaging means of theportions of the terminals to engage electrically the associated ones ofthe conductors when the parts are mated, and each of the secondterminals having a portion thereof anchored in the second unit when thesecond part of the second unit is mated with the first part of thesecond unit, and having a contact portion adapted to be received in theassociated internal groove of the first part of the second unit andbeing capable of flexure, with the deflection of the contact portion ofthe second terminal being limited to wIthin the associated internalgroove, at least portions of the first unit being insertable into thecavity of the second unit to cause the contact portion of the secondterminal in the internal groove to be moved into the associatedterminal-receiving groove of the first unit to engage the contactportion of the first terminal therein and establish and maintainelectrical connection therebetween.
 7. A device for making an electricalconnection, which comprises: a first assembly, which includes a firstsubassembly which includes, a first dielectric part having a passageformed therethrough with a plurality of parallel longitudinally formedpartitions projecting into the passage to form a plurality of elongatedconductor-receiving troughs for confining and separating associatedindividual conductors designed to be received therein against lateralmovement in the passage and having a plurality of terminal-receivinggrooves opening on a surface of the first part and communicating withassociated ones of the conductor-receiving troughs, each of theterminal-receiving grooves having a flared entrance opening on thesurface of the first part extending transverse to the other surface,each of the terminal-receiving grooves having a restriction at one endand a shoulder projecting transversely of and into the entrance at theother end; and a second dielectric part having a plurality of ribsformed on one surface thereof, the second part designed to be mated withthe first part with the ribs interposed between associated ones of thepartitions and extending into associated ones of the conductor-receivingtroughs for confining further transverse movement of associatedconductors; and a plurality of first electrically conductive terminalsmounted in associated ones of the terminal-receiving grooves of thefirst part and having one end in engagement with the shoulder and theother end received in the restriction to confine the opposite ends ofthe terminal, each of the first terminals having barbs formed integrallytherewith on the ends thereof penetrating the material defining thegroove to secure the first terminals within the first part, and havingcontact portions formed thereon protruding into the associated ones ofthe conductor-receiving troughs so that when the second part is matedwith the first part and the ribs confine the conductors positioned inthe associated ones of the troughs, the contact portions of theassociated first terminals become engaged electrically with theconductors, each of the first terminals having a crown formed thereonfor engaging the opposed wall of the associated terminal-receivinggroove to maintain the terminal in engagement with the adjacent wall ofthe associated terminal-receiving groove; and a second assembly whichincludes, a second subassembly including a first dielectric part havinga cavity complementary to at least portions of the first subassemblydesigned to be received in the cavity, the first part of the secondsubassembly having a plurality of terminal-receiving grooves opening toan external surface thereof and adapted to receive insulated conductors,and having a plurality of internal grooves formed in one of the surfacesthereof which face into the cavity, are aligned with associated ones ofthe terminal-receiving grooves and extend transverse to the externalsurface to cooperate with the associated terminal-receiving grooves todefine terminal-receiving passages, and a second dielectric part,adapted to be mated with the first part of the second subassembly havinga plurality of ribs formed on one surface thereof, the ribs beingreceived in associated ones of the grooves when the second part of thesecond subassembly is mated with the first part of the secondsubassembly, and a plurality of second electrically conductiveterminals, each having first and second legs, and designed to bepositioned in the terminal-receiving passages and having contactportions formed on tHe first legs thereof which extend laterally of theassociated first legs and terminate in portions of the associatedgrooves designed to receive associated conductors so that when theconductors are positioned in the associated grooves and the second partof the second subassembly is mated with the first part of the secondsubassembly, the ribs confine the conductors and the contact portionsbecome engaged electrically therewith, the second legs of the secondterminals extending into the cavity and being confined in associatedones of the internal grooves to engage the associated one of the firstterminals when the first assembly is inserted into the cavitylongitudinally of the associated second legs of the second terminals,the second terminals being anchored in the first part of the secondsubassembly with the free ends of the second legs of the terminalsextending into the cavity and being designed to be capable of deflectiontransversely, the transverse movement of the free ends of the secondlegs being restricted by the associated internal grooves to preventmisalignment of the second terminals and facilitate insertion of thecontact portion of each of the second terminals into an associated oneof the terminal-receiving grooves in the first part of the firstsubassembly, each of the second terminals having first and second crownsprojecting from opposite sides thereof the second crown being adapted toengage the opposed wall of the associated terminal-receiving groove inthe first subassembly to urge the associated first crown projecting fromthe other side of the second terminal into engagement with theassociated first terminal.
 8. The device for making an electricalconnection as set forth in claim 7, which further comprises:complementary means formed on the first and second parts of the firstsubassembly transversely of the troughs for clamping a plurality of theconductors therebetween and for anchoring individual ones of theconductors to provide strain relief for the plurality of conductors andfor the individual ones of the conductors; and complementary meansformed on the first and second parts of the second subassembly forproviding strain relief for the conductors positioned therein.
 9. Thedevice for making an electrical connection as set forth in claim 7,which further includes the first part of the second subassembly isprovided with means formed transversely of the second terminals forsupporting the second terminals to prevent unintended relativelongitudinal movement between the terminals and the first part of thesecond subassembly; and each of the second terminals is configured to beseated in engagement with the supporting means when the second terminalsare inserted into the terminal-receiving passages so that when the firstassembly is inserted into the second assembly, the second terminals aresupported against unintended longitudinal movement.
 10. The device formaking an electrical connection as set forth in claim 7, wherein: thethickness of each of the first terminals plus the overall thickness ofthe second terminals, including the projecting dimensions of the firstand second crowns, is greater than the width of the terminal-receivinggroove of the first part of the first assembly to cause the second legof each of the second terminals to assume a serpentine configurationwhen the second leg is caused to be moved into the associated one of theterminal-receiving grooves and insure that the second crown thereofpresses into the opposed walls of the terminal-receiving groove and thatthe first crown engages the associated first terminal with sufficientpressure to establish adequate electrical contact therebetween.
 11. Thedevice for making an electrical connection as set forth in claim 7,wherein: the contact portions formed on the first and secondelectrically conductive terminals includes at least two tangs spacedalong one edge of each of the terminals, each of the tangs beingsuBstantially wedge-shaped with a base thereof integral with the mainbody portion of the terminal and with an apex thereof external of themain body portion, each of the tangs being coined on one side thereof,with the distance between the apices of the tangs as measuredorthogonally of the plane of the terminal being predetermined to insurepenetration of insulated conductors positioned in the troughs and in theterminal-receiving grooves when the second parts of the first and seconddielectric subassemblies are mated with the first parts of the first andsecond dielectric subassemblies respectively.
 12. The device for makingan electrical connection as set forth in claim 7, wherein: the secondleg of each of the second electrically conductive terminals is formedwith a portion thereof adjacent the free end being bent out of the planeof the terminal to bias the first crown thereof toward the firstterminal in the associated terminal-receiving groove to pre-align thefree end thereof with the flared entrance to facilitate the mating ofthe terminals with the first assembly and to urge the bent portions ofthe second legs toward the plane of the associated first terminals tocreate adequate pressure contact between the first and second terminals.13. The device for making an electrical connection as set forth in claim7, which further comprises: releasable latching means associated withthe first and second subassemblies and rendered effective subsequent tothe insertion of the at least portions of the first assembly into thecavity of the second assembly for securing together the first and secondassemblies to prevent unintended uncoupling thereof.
 14. The device formaking an electrical connection, defined in claim 7, and which furthercomprises: the first part of the second subassembly having anoverhanging portion extending into the cavity thereof and having a slotcut therein, the second part of the first subassembly having a pair ofspaced latch-receiving grooves opening to the one surface thereof, oneof the ribs of the second part of the first subassembly having a lipformed integrally therewith and extending partially transversely of oneof the latch-receiving grooves to overhang partially the one of thelatch-receiving grooves, further, the second part of the firstsubassembly having a U-shaped slot formed in another surface opposed tothe one surface opening to a free end of the second part and having asecond slot connected to the U-shaped slot and opening to aconductor-input end of the second part, the first part of the firstsubassembly having spaced apertures opening to said passage; and a latchmade of a resilient material and including a pair of securing fingerseach having an upstanding portion at one end thereof, each of thesecuring fingers connected to a leg portion extending reverselyangularly of the associated securing finger, each of the leg portionshaving a transversely extending arm portion, the arm portions projectingtoward one another, each one of the arm portions connected to one end ofa U-shaped release tab designed to be received in the slot in theoverhanging portion, the latch being assembled to the second part of thefirst subassembly with one of the securing fingers being urged past thelip to seat the one securing finger in the associated one of thelatch-receiving grooves between the lip and the bottom of the groove andwith the other securing finger received in the other one of thelatch-receiving grooves, the upstanding portions projecting externallyof the second part, oriented toward the conductor-input end of thesecond part of the first subassembly and being received in the aperturesof the first part to prevent unintended longitudinal movement of thelatch, the connection of the securing fingers to the leg portions beingoriented toward the end of the second part which is the leading endmoved into the cavity of the second assembly, the release tab orientedtoward the conductor-input end of the second part of the firstsubassembly, the device being assembled by depressing the release tab tomove the leg portions and the arm portions into the U-shaped slot andthe release tab into the second slot and causing relative movementbetween the first and second assemblies to move the first assembly intomating engagement with the second assembly whereafter the release tab ispermitted to be returned resiliently to a normal position angled to thesecuring fingers to move the arm portions thereof behind the overhangingportion to prevent unintended uncoupling of the assemblies and toprotrude angularly the release tab through the slot in the overhangingportion.
 15. The connector of claim 7, wherein the second electricallyconductive terminals are terminals being substantially U-shaped in formand designed to be positioned in the grooves and having contact tangsformed on the legs thereof which extend laterally of the associated legsand terminate in portions of the associated grooves designed to receiveassociated conductors so that when the conductors are positioned in theassociated grooves and the second part of the second dielectricsubassembly is mated with the first part of the second dielectricsubassembly, the ribs confine the conductors and the tangs pierce theinsulation of the conductors and become engaged electrically therewith,the opposite legs of the second terminals extending into the cavity andbeing confined in associated ones of the internal grooves to engage theassociated one of the first terminals when the first dielectricsubassembly is inserted into the cavity longitudinally of the associatedlegs of the second terminals, the second terminals being anchored in thefirst part of the second dielectric subassembly with the free ends ofthe legs of the terminals extending into the cavity being free to bedefected transversely, the transverse movement of the free ends of theleg portions being restricted by the associated internal grooves toprevent misalignment of the terminals and facilitate insertion of thecontact portion of each of the second terminals into an associated oneof the terminal-receiving grooves in the first part of the firstdielectric subassembly, each of the second terminals having a first anda second crown projecting from opposite sides thereof, the second crownbeing adapted to engage the opposed wall of the associatedterminal-receiving groove in the first dielectris subassembly to urgethe associated first crown projecting from the other side of the secondterminal into engagement with the associated first terminal.
 16. Thedevice for making an electrical connection as set forth in claim 7,wherein: the first terminals are assembled to the first part of thefirst subassembly with the edges thereof which are adjacent the surfaceof the first part of the first dielectric subassembly being within theterminal-receiving grooves thereof, the internal grooves in the firstpart of the second subassembly being defined by walls having edgesurfaces which face into the cavity and which are transverse to sidesurfaces of the walls; and the second terminals are assembled to thefirst part of the second subassembly with portions of the second legsthereof protruding beyond the edge surfaces of the walls of the internalgrooves of the first part and into the cavity, the protruding portionsbeing received in associated ones of the terminal receiving grooves ofthe first assembly when the first and second assemblies are matedtogether and the surface of the first part of the first subassemblyengages the edge surfaces of the walls of the internal grooves.
 17. Thedevice for making an electrical connection as set forth in claim 16,wherein: the first terminals are assembled to the first part of thefirst subassembly with the edges thereof which are adjacent the surfaceof the first part of the first dielectric subassembly being flushtherewith.
 18. An electrical connector, which comprises: a firstassEmbly which includes a first dielectric subassembly which includes afirst part having a passage formed there-through with a plurality ofparallel longitudinally formed partitions projecting into the passage toform a plurality of elongated conductor-receiving troughs for confiningassociated individual conductors designed to be received therein againstlateral movement in the passage and having a plurality ofterminal-receiving grooves opening on a surface of the first part andcommunicating with associated ones of the conductor-receiving troughs,each of the terminal-receiving grooves having a flared entrance openingon the surface of the first part extending transverse to the othersurface, each of the terminal-receiving grooves having a restriction atone end and a shoulder projecting transversely of and into the entranceat the other end, the first part having a raised portion formedtransversely of the longitudinal axes of the passage and projecting intothe passage, and having a transversely extending channel in the passageinterposed between the raised portion and the troughs, and a second parthaving a plurality of ribs formed on one surface thereof, the secondpart designed to be mated with the first part with the ribs interposedbetween associated ones of the partitions and extending into associatedones of the conductor-receiving troughs for confining further transversemovement of associated conductors, the second part also including araised portion formed transversely of the part and to cooperate with theraised portion of the first part to clamp a plurality of the conductorstherebetween when the second part is mated with the first part, andfurther having a ridge formed transversely of the ribs and interposedbetween the ribs and the raised portion thereof for cooperating with thechannel of the first part to clamp the conductors between the ridge andthe channel when the second part is mated with the first part to anchorthe individual conductors; and a plurality of first electricallyconductive terminals mounted in associated ones of theterminal-receiving grooves of the first part of the first dielectricsubassembly and having one end in engagement with the shoulder and theother end received in the restriction to confine the opposite ends ofthe terminal, each of the first terminals having barbs formed integrallytherewith on the ends thereof penetrating the material defining thegrooves to secure the first terminals within the first part, and havingcontact tangs formed thereon protruding into the associated ones of theconductor-receiving troughs so that when the second part is mated withthe first part and the ribs confine the conductors in the associatedones of the troughs, the contact tangs on the associated first terminalspierce the insulation of the associated conductors and become engagedelectrically with the conductors, each of the first terminals having acrown formed thereon for engaging the opposed wall of the associatedterminal-receiving groove to maintain the terminal in engagement withthe adjacent wall of the associated terminal-receiving groove; and asecond assembly which includes a second dielectric subassembly includinga first part having a cavity complementary to at least portions of thefirst dielectric subassembly designed to be received in the cavity, thefirst part of the second dielectric subassembly having a plurality ofterminal-receiving grooves opening to two adjacent transverselyextending external surfaces thereof, the grooves adapted to receiveinsulated conductors, and a plurality of internal grooves formed in oneof the surfaces thereof which face into the cavity, are aligned withassociated ones of the terminal-receiving grooves on the transversesurfaces and extend parallel to one of the transverse surfaces andtransverse to the other to cooperate with the associatedterminal-receiving groove to define generally U-shapedterminal-receiving passages, and a second part, adapted to be mAted withthe first part of the second dielectric subassembly having a pluralityof ribs formed on one surface thereof, the ribs being received inassociated ones of the grooves when the second part is mated with thefirst part of the second dielectric subassembly, and a plurality ofsecond electrically conductive terminals being substantially U-shaped inform and and designed to be positioned in the U-shaped passages andhaving contact tangs formed on the legs thereof which extend laterallyof the associated legs and terminate in portions of the associatedgrooves designed to receive associated conductors so that when theconductors are positioned in the associated grooves and the second partof the second dielectric subassembly is mated with the first part of thesecond dielectric subassembly, the ribs confine the conductors and thetangs pierce the insulation of the conductors and become engagedelectrically therewith, the opposite legs of the second terminalsextending into the cavity and being confined in associated ones of theinternal grooves to engage the associated one of the first terminalswhen the first dielectric subassembly is inserted into the cavitylongitudinally of the associated legs of the U-shaped second terminals,the second terminals being anchored in the first part of the seconddielectric subassembly with the free ends of the legs of the U-shapedterminals extending into the cavity being free to be defectedtransversely, the transverse movement of the free ends of the legportions being restricted by the associated internal grooves to preventmisalignment of the terminals and facilitate insertion of the contactportion of each of the second terminals into an associated one of theterminal-receiving grooves in the first part of the first dielectricsubassembly, each of the second terminals having a first and a secondcrown projecting from opposite sides thereof, the second crown beingadapted to engage the opposed wall of the associated terminal-receivinggroove in the first dielectric subassembly to urge the associated firstcrown projecting from the other side of the second terminal intoengagement with the associated first terminal.
 19. The connector ofclaim 18, wherein the internal grooves formed in one of the surfaceswhich face into the cavity of the second dielectric subassembly of thesecond assembly are formed in that surface which is the least distancefrom the parallel external surface thereof having the terminal-receivinggrooves formed therein.
 20. The connector of claim 18, wherein theinternal grooves formed in one of the surfaces which face into thecavity of the second dielectric subassembly of the second assembly areformed in that surface which is most distant from the parallel externalsurface thereof having the terminal-receiving grooves formed therein.21. An electrical connector, which comprises: a first assembly whichincludes, a first dielectric subassembly which includes, a first parthaving a passage formed therethrough with a plurality of parallellongitudinally formed partitions projecting into the passage to form aplurality of elongated conductor-receiving troughs for confiningassociated individual conductors designed to be received therein againstlateral movement in the passage and having a plurality ofterminal-receiving grooves opening on a surface of the first part andcommunicating with associated ones of the conductor-receiving troughs,each of the terminal-receiving grooves having a flared entrance openingon the surface of the first part extending transverse to the othersurface, each of the terminal-receiving grooves having a restriction atone end and a shoulder projecting transversely of and into the entranceat the other end, the first part having a raised portion formedtransversely of the longitudinal axes of the passage and projecting intothe passage, and having a transversely extending channel in the passageinterposed between the raised portion and the troughs, aNd a second parthaving a plurality of ribs formed on one surface thereof, the secondpart designed to be mated with the first part with the ribs interposedbetween associated ones of the partitions and extending into associatedones of the conductor-receiving troughs for confining further transversemovement of associated conductors, the second part also including araised portion formed transversely of the part and to cooperate with theraised portion of the first part to clamp a plurality of the conductorstherebetween when the second part is mated with the first part, andfurther having a ridge formed transversely of the ribs and interposedbetween the ribs and the raised portion thereof for cooperating with thechannel of the first part to clamp the conductors between the ridge andthe channel when the second part is mated with the first part to anchorthe individual conductors; and a plurality of first electricallyconductive terminals mounted in associated ones of theterminal-receiving grooves of the first part of the first dielectricsubassembly and having one end in engagement with the shoulder and theother end received in the restriction to confine the opposite ends ofthe terminal, each of the first terminals having barbs formed integrallytherewith on the ends thereof penetrating the material defining thegroove to secure the first terminals within the first part, and havingcontact tangs formed thereon protruding into the associated ones of theconductor-receiving troughs so that when the second part is mated withthe first part and the ribs confine the conductors in the associatedones of the troughs, the contact tangs on the associated first terminalspierce the insulation of the associated conductors and become engagedelectrically with the conductors, each of the first terminals having acrown formed thereon for engaging the opposed wall of the associatedterminal-receiving groove to maintain the terminal in engagement withthe adjacent wall of the associated terminal-receiving groove; and asecond assembly which includes a second dielectric subassembly includinga first part having a cavity complementary to at least portions of thefirst dielectric subassembly designed to be received in the cavity, thefirst part of the second dielectric subassembly having a plurality ofterminal-receiving grooves opening to two adjacent transverselyextending external surfaces thereof, the grooves adapted to receiveinsulated conductors and a plurality of internal grooves formed in oneof the surfaces thereof which face into the cavity are aligned withassociated ones of the terminal-receiving grooves, on the transversesurfaces and extend parallel to one of the transverse surfaces andtransverse to the other to cooperate with the associatedterminal-receiving groove to define generally U-shapedterminal-receiving passages, and a second part, adapted to be mated withthe first part of the second dielectric subassembly, having a pluralityof ribs formed on one surface thereof, the ribs being received inassociated ones of the grooves when the second part is mated with thefirst part of the second dielectric subassembly, and a plurality ofsubstantially U-shaped electrically conductive terminals designed to bepositioned in the U-shaped passages and having contact tangs formed onthe legs thereof which extend laterally of the associated legs andterminate in portions of the associated grooves designed to receiveassociated conductors so that when the conductors are positioned in theassociated grooves and the second part of the second dielectricsubassembly is mated with the first part of the second dielectricsubassembly, the ribs confine the conductors and the tangs pierce theinsulation of the conductors and become engaged electrically therewith,the opposite legs of the U-shaped terminals extending into the cavityand bring confined in associated ones of the internal grooves to engagethe associated one of the first terminals When the first dielectricsubassembly is inserted into the cavity longitudinally of the associatedlegs of the U-shaped terminals having the contact tangs formed thereonbeing anchored in the first part of the second dielectric subassembly,the portion of each of the U-shaped terminals connecting the legsthereof being free to be twisted about a joint with the leg having thetangs formed thereon and with the free ends of the opposite legs of theU-shaped terminals extending into the cavity being free to be defectedtransversely, the transverse movement of the free ends of the legportions being restricted by the associated internal grooves to preventmisalignment of the terminals and facilitate insertion of the contactportion of each of the U-shaped terminals into an associated one of theterminal-receiving grooves in the first part of the first dielectricsubassembly, each of the U-shaped terminals having first and secondcrowns projecting from opposite sides thereof the second crown beingadapted to engage the opposed wall of the associated terminal-receivinggroove in the first dielectric subassembly to urge the associated firstcrown projecting from the other side of the U-shaped terminal inengagement with the associated first terminal.
 22. An electricalconnector as set forth in claim 21, wherein: the U-shaped terminals aremade from a flat sheet of electrically conductive material having athickness t and formed so that the thickness t is measured along a lineperpendicular to the plane of the U, the dimensions of the terminals inthe plane of the U being substantially greater than the thickness.
 23. Aplug assembly, which comprises: a first dielectric part having a passageformed therethrough with a plurality of parallel longitudinally formedpartitions projecting into the passage to form a plurality of elongatedconductor-receiving troughs for confining associated individualconductors designed to be received therein against lateral movement inthe passage and having a plurality of terminal-receiving grooves openingon a surface of the first part and communicating with associated ones ofthe conductor-receiving troughs, each of the terminal-receiving grooveshaving a flared entrance opening on the surface of the first partextending transverse to the other surface, each of theterminal-receiving grooves having a resstriction at one end and ashoulder projecting transversely of and into the entrance at the otherend, a second dielectric part having a plurality of ribs formed on onesurface thereof, the second part designed to be mated with the firstpart with the ribs interposed between associated ones of the partitionsand extending into associated ones of the conductor-receiving troughsfor confining further transverse movement of associated conductors; anda plurality of electrically conductive terminals mounted in associatedones of the terminal-receiving grooves of the first part and having oneend in engagement with the shoulder and the other end received in therestriction to confine the opposite ends of the terminal, each of theterminals having barbs formed integral therewith on the ends thereofpenetrating the material defining the groove to secure the terminalswithin the first part, and having contact portions formed thereonprotruding into the associated ones of the conductor-receiving troughsso that when the second part is mated with the first part, the ribsconfine the conductors in the associated ones of the trough and causethe contact portions of the associated first terminals to become engagedelectrically with the associated ones of the conductors, each of theterminals having a crown formed thereon engaging the opposed wall of theassociated terminal-receiving groove to maintain the terminal inengagement with the adjacent wall of the associated terminal-receivinggroove.
 24. A plug assembly as defined in claim 23, which includes:complementary means formed on the first and seconD dielectric partstransversely of the troughs for clamping a plurality of the conductorstherebetween and for anchoring individual ones of the conductors toprovide strain relief for the plurality of conductors and for theindividual ones of the conductors.
 25. A plug assembly as defined inclaim 23, wherein: the terminals are assembled to the first part withthe edges thereof which are adjacent the surface of the first part beingwithin the terminal-receiving grooves thereof.
 26. A plug assembly asdefined in claim 23, wherein: the contact portion formed on theterminals includes at least two tangs spaced along one edge of each ofthe terminals, each of the tangs being substantially wedge-shaped with abase thereof integral with the main body portion of the terminal andwith an apex thereof external of the main body portion, each of thetangs being coined on one side thereof, with a distance between theapices of the tangs as measured orthogonally of the plane of theterminal being predetermined to insure penetration of insulatedconductors positioned in the troughs when the second part is mated tothe first part.
 27. A jack assembly, which includes: a first dielectricpart having a cavity complementary to at least portions of a matingelectrical connector designed to be received in the cavity, and having aplurality of terminal-receiving grooves opening to an external surfacethereof and adapted to receive insulated conductors, and having aplurality of internal grooves formed in one of the surfaces thereofwhich face into the cavity, and are aligned with associated ones of theterminal-receiving grooves to cooperate with the associatedterminal-receiving grooves to define terminal-receiving passages; asecond dielectric part, adapted to be mated with the first part andhaving a plurality of ribs formed on one surface thereof, the ribs beingreceived in associated one of the grooves when the second part is matedwith the first part; and a plurality of electrically conductiveterminals designed to be positioned in the terminal-receiving passagesand having contact portions formed on first leg portions thereof whichextend laterally of the associated leg portions and terminate inportions of the associated grooves designed to receive associatedconductors so that when the conductors are positioned in the associatedgrooves and the second part is mated with the first part, the ribsconfine the conductors and cause the contact portions to become engagedelectrically with the associated conductors, the terminals having secondleg portions, further the terminals being anchored in the first partwith the free ends of the second leg portions of the terminals extendinginto the cavity and being free to be deflected transversely of the freeends of the second leg portions and being restricted by the associatedinternal grooves to prevent misalignment of the second terminals, eachof the terminals having first and second crowns projecting from oppositesides thereof.
 28. A jack assembly as set forth in claim 27, whichincludes: complementary means formed on the first and second parts toprovide strain relief for the conductors positioned therein.
 29. A jackassembly as set forth in claim 27, wherein: the first part is providedwith means formed transversely of the terminals for supporting theterminals to prevent unintended relative longitudinal movement betweenthe terminals and the first part; and each of the terminals isconfigured to be seated in engagement with the supporting means tosupport the terminals against unintended longitudinal movement.
 30. Ajack assembly as defined in claim 27, wherein: the internal grooves inthe first part are defined by walls having edge surfaces which face intothe cavity and which are transverse to side surfaces of the walls; andthe terminals are assembled to the first part with portions of thesecond leg portions thereof protruding beyond the edge surfaces of thewalls of thE internal grooves and into the cavity.
 31. A jack assemblyas defined in claim 27, wherein: the contact portions formed on theterminals include at least two tangs spaced along one edge of each ofthe terminals, each of the tangs being substantially wedge-shaped with abase thereof integral with the main body portion of the terminal andwith an apex thereof external of the main body portion, each of thetangs being coined on one side thereof with a distance between theapices of the tangs as measured orthogonally of the plane of theterminal being predetermined to insure penetration of insulatedconductors positioned in the first part when the second part is matedwith the first part.
 32. A jack assembly as set forth in claim 27,wherein: the second leg of each of the terminals is formed with aportion thereof adjacent the free end being bent out of the plane of theterminal to bias the first crown thereof toward the wall of theassociated internal groove.
 33. An electrical connector for terminatingan insulated conductor and for engaging electrically a componentexternal to the connector, which comprises: a dielectric housing, whichincludes at least one conductor-receiving trough and at least oneterminal-receiving opening, the terminal-receiving opening including agroove overlying and extending generally parallel to the at least onetrough and a slot communicating with the at least one trough, the lengthof the groove being exposed to the exterior of the connector; and atleast one electrically conductive flat blade-like terminal positionedwithin the at least one terminal-receiving opening, which includes: aninternal contact portion positioned within the slot and havingfacilities for piercing the insulation of and making electricalengagement with the conductor in the at least one trough, an externalcontact portion positioned within the groove of the terminal-receivingopening and having facilities for making electrical engagement with thecomponent external to the connector to establish an electricalconnection with the component.
 34. An electrical connector forterminating a cord having a plurality of insulated conductors, and formaking engagement with conductors external to the connector, whichcomprises: a dielectric housing including a plurality of troughs, eachtrough receiving an individual insulated conductor therein, and aplurality of terminal-receiving openings, each opening comprising agroove overlying and extending generally parallel to an individualconductor-receiving trough and a slot extending between the groove andthe associated trough, the length of the groove being exposed to theexterior of the connector; and a plurality of electrically conductingterminals, each terminal being positioned within an associatedindividual terminal-receiving opening and comprising a flat blade-likemember including: an internal contact portion positioned within the slotof the associated opening and having facilities for piercing theinsulation of and making electrical engagement with an individualconductor positioned within the associated conductor-receiving trough,and an external contact portion positioned within the groove of theassociated opening and having facilities for making engagement withconductors external to the connector.
 35. The electrical connector ofclaim 34, wherein the juncture of the groove with the associated slot isof a size to permit the internal contact portion of the associatedterminal to pass therethrough.
 36. The electrical connector of claim 34,wherein each of the terminals is maintained within the associatedterminal-receiving opening to expose an edge portion of the externalcontact portion to the external face of the connector.
 37. Theelectrical connector of claim 34, wherein each terminal includes aplurality of barbs that penetrate the material defining the associatedterminal-receiving opening when the terminal is inserted therein tosecure thE terminal within the housing.